Theory of power

The skyline of St. John's as you enter the harbour

Last Sunday Stan and myself had a beautiful day to have a paddle into and around St. John's harbour. This is the skyline sailors see as they enter the harbour. If you enlarge the picture you'll see two large structures on the skyline, the Rooms on the left and the Basilica on the right.

For many years fishermen from Spain and Portugal fished cod on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. These countries are predominantly Roman Catholic. The Basilica was a beacon for them, a place to worship that was easy to find. The Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is a gothic style Roman Catholic church that was consecrated on 3 September 1855.

The Rooms (name taken from "fishing rooms" where local fishermen process their fish and store their fishing gear) house the Province of Newfoundland's museum and art galleries. Its a legacy building of Brian Tobin. Brian Tobin was Premier of the Province and was determined to leave a lasting remembrance of that fact.

The Rooms sit on the ruins of what was Fort Townshend 250 years ago. The private citizen of Newfoundland is prohibited from digging, collecting or altering any historically signifiant site. If it was my land I woudn't be allowed to build a shed but because Brain Tobin had the power, he decreed it be built and no one should stand in the way of his vision.

I think its a monstrosity on the skyline of St. John's and a local joke has it that the Rooms are the box that the Basilica came in. Its a beautiful building, just in the wrong place. You know what they say about power corrupting.

Tony :-)